A burglar who stole from a house evacuated due to flooding has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Richard Swierczek, 34, formerly of Wavell Street, Selby, was told his crime smacked of looting when he admitted three burglaries, one of which was committed during the November floods.

The courtroom at Hull Crown Court heard that Swierczek burgled a house in Brook Street, Selby on October 2 last year.

He was arrested days later but while out on bail on November 4 and 5 he burgled two more houses in Gowthorpe, Selby and Old Mill House, Selby.

The court heard: "The owner of Old Mill House had left the property because of the flooding.

"He went back to check the property and found that someone had smashed the rear stable door and taken the television and video and contents of charity boxes worth £5.50."

In his defence, barrister Robert Collins, said: "Mr Swierczek has said enough is enough. This, as far as he is concerned, is a situation which cannot continue. He's been a heroin addict but since going into prison he's taken professional assistance and is now on a drugs-free wing.

"Before that he was an alcoholic and has been dogged with substance abuse problems.

"He aims to stay clean from heroin to support his children and try to rebuild his life with his partner."

In sentencing him, Judge Tom Cracknell, said: "You're 34 and determined to carry on burgling people's premises.

" 'Enough is enough', well I'm sure the courts and public of Selby would echo that when you are at liberty.

"For the burglary on October 2, you will serve two years. You were out on bail on November 4 and 5 and committed other burglaries. The burglary on the 5th was particularly serious and smacks of looting.

"This man's house was unoccupied because of the floods and the offence was wholly intolerable.

"For those two you will serve two-and-a-half-years concurrent but consecutive to the one already imposed giving you a substantive sentence of four-and-a-half years."

Updated: 08:40 Tuesday, January 30, 2001